Multi-elemental epithermal neutron activation analysis using an internal single comparator

Epithermal neutron activation analysis using an internal single comparator has been used for the analysis of Saudi Arabian iron ores. The concentration of thorium, barium, terbium, tantalum, cobalt, lanthanum and antimony was determined using iron in the ore as an internal comparator for all the elements. In case of antimony there was an agreement between this method and the conventional method indicating that the given method is accurate.     

Novel syntheses of pyrrolone and pyrrolopyridine derivatives

4-Arylmethylene-2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-ones 1a , b reacted with some active methylene reagents to afford pyrrolidine-3,5-dione, pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine and pyrrolinone derivatives. The cinnamate ester, obtained from 1a and sodium ethoxide, could be converted into a pyrrolidinone derivative having an active methylene group. This compound coupled with diazonium salts to afford the corresponding azo coupling products.     

Nitriles in organic synthesis: A novel synthesis of benzo[h]pyrimidino[1,2-c]-pyridazinone and hydrazonobut-2-enonitrile derivatives

A new synthesis of benzo[h]pyrimidino[1,2-c]pyridazinones via coupling diazotised anthranilic acid with 1-phenylethylidenemalononitrile ( 1 ) is reported. Synthesis of new 1-antipyrin-4-yl and 1-pyrazol-5-ylpyridazine derivatives utilizing 1 as starting material is also described.     

Nanoscale characterization of different stiction mechanisms in electrostatically driven MEMS devices based on adhesion and friction measurements

In this work, for the first time different stiction mechanisms in electrostatic micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switches were studied. In these devices stiction can be caused by two main mechanisms: dielectric charging and meniscus formation resulting from the adsorbed water film between the switch bridge and the dielectric layer. The effect of each mechanism and their interaction were investigated by measuring the adhesive and friction forces under different electrical stress conditions and relative humidity levels. An atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to perform force-distance and friction measurements on the nanoscale. A novel technique was proposed to measure the induced surface potential over the dielectric surface and was used to explain the obtained adhesive and friction results. The evolution of adhesive force with time was monitored in order to study the charging/discharging processes in the dielectric film. The assessment methodology is employed for application in RF-MEMS switches and could be extended to other electrostatic MEMS devices. The study provides an in-depth understanding of different stiction mechanisms, and explanation for the literature reported device level measurements for electrostatic capacitive MEMS switches.     

An angle-of-incidence tunable,SiO2-Si (film-substrate) reflection retarder for the UV mercury line λ=2537Å

We present an optimum design of a SiO₂-Si film-substrate single-reflection, angle-of-incidence tunable retarder for the UV spectral line λ=2537 Å. Small changes in film thickness around the optimum value do not significantly affect the device performance. The same applies to small shifts of the wavelength of operation, neglecting the effect of dispersion.     

Electrochemical and thermodynamic studies of the ion-pair formation of chloropentamminecobalt(III) ion in ethyl alcohol-water media containing different dicarboxylate ligands

The ion-pair dissociation constants, K(D), of the ion-pair formed between chloropentamminecobalt(III) ion (CpX(2+)) and a variety of dicarboxylate ligands, have been determined from EMF measurements of a cell composed of glass and calomel electrodes. Measurements were made in water and in aqueous binary mixtures of ethyl alcohol, over a wide range of solvent composition (0-60 wt% ethyl alcohol), at six different temperatures (ranging from 30 to 55 degrees C at intervals of 5 degrees C). The thermodynamic parameters of association DeltaG(ass)(0), DeltaH(ass)(0) and DeltaS(ass)(0) have been calculated and discussed. DeltaH(ass)(0)-DeltaS(ass)(0), DeltaS(ass)(0)-DeltaS(1(or 2))(0), DeltaG(ass)(0)-G(1(or 2))(0) and DeltaH(ass)(0)-DeltaH(1(or 2))(0) correlations among different solvent media and different dicarboxylate ligands were examined (where 1 and 2 denote the first and the second dissociation reactions of the studied dicarboxylic acids). The pK(D) value has been correlated with the dielectric constant of the medium according to Born's equation.     

Solvent effects on the dissociation reactions of tartaric, maleic and phthalic acids; comparative study and analysis of thermodynamic functions

The first and second dissociation constants of tartaric, maleic and phthalic acids have been determined using EMF method in water-ethanol mixed solvents, over a wide range of solvent composition (0-60 wt% ethanol) at six different temperatures (ranging from 30 to 55 degrees C at intervals of 5 degrees C). The thermodynamic parameters (DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees ) for the first and the second ionization reactions were calculated from the well known equations. The results have been discussed in terms of the solute-solvent interactions and were compared with those of malic, malonic and succinic acids in the same mixed solvents.     

Isolation,identification, and keratinolytic activity of several feather-degrading bacterial isolates

Several feather-degrading bacterial isolates were isolated from Egyptian soil. These isolates were able to degrade chicken feather, when grown on basal medium containing 1% native feather as a source of energy, carbon, and nitrogen. Feather waste, generated in large quantities as a byproduct of commercial poultry processing, is nearly pure keratin, which is not easily degradable by common proteolytic enzymes. The isolates were identified according to the morphological characteristics, biochemical tests, and API 50 CHBBacillus system. Proteolytic and keratinolytic activities of these isolates were monitored throughout the cultivation of the bacterial isolates on feather. Resulting soluble proteins, which were released as a result of the biodegradation of feather, were demonstrated by SDS-PAGE.     

Nondestructive neutron activation analysis of some soil clays of Egypt

Fourteen clay samples separated from calcareous, lacustrine, Nile alluvium and desert alluvium soils of Egypt were analyzed by pure instrumental neutron activation analysis. Elemental composition was determined by high resolution gamma-spectrometry on samples irradiated with reactor neutrons using the monostrandard technique. This was carried out in the nuclear research center of Karlsruhe, West Germany. As many as 17 trace elements, beside Ca, K, and Na, were quantitatively determined. The spectra of chosen activated clays are given. Data reveal that the content of the trace elements As, Cs, Hf, Sb, Sc, Sm, Yb, Th and U were found within a narrow range despite location and depths of clay samples. Nevertheless, the contents of some elements mainly Ce, Cr and La had a wide range. In brief, the presence of any elements in higher or lower levels in certain clays is contingent on the occurence of its bearing minerals, nature of parent sediments and depositional environments of these sediments.